Originally Posted by
35remington
Some of your powder selections, combined with bullet choice, are pushing the limit given indications that are occurring.
The case stretch is strongly suggesting some of the loads are getting to be excessive. Not blowing up the gun is not the only thing to look for in assessing load suitability. Case stretch is a pressure clue from a pressure measuring device....your gun.
The bottom line is what is occurring with your gun, not with another gun using a different cartridge and different powder and a different bullet. With the loads generating notable stretch, back off substantially and see if it slows greatly. If it does the loading was the culprit.
A prudent use for a case is often said to be to demote it from full power use after its third trimming. Since ten thou separates the "trim to" length from the max length, this means some of your loads are generating about six full power reloads before retirement. This is very subpar in terms of action and case stress. Cases ain't cheap either, even former 30-30's.
Do not keep using repeatedly trimmed cases. The brass is coming from somewhere, and that spot is the case wall above the solid head.